1. He's not actually a Patrick

He wasn't originally called Patrick but was born Maewyn Succat. He changed his name to Patrick when he became a priest.

2. He wasn't even Irish

He may be the Patron Saint of Ireland but he wasn't even Irish. He was born on the British mainland, although different sources argue over whether his home is Scotland or Wales.

3. He was brought to Ireland as a slave

He was brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He did manage to escape after six years though.

4. He was a shepherd

While he was a prisoner in Ireland he herded sheep and pigs on Slemish mountain in County Antrim.

5. A voice told him to return to Ireland

He did return to Ireland again, this time as an ordained priest to try to convert the Irish to Christianity. Apparently a voice told him to go back.

6. He preached all over Ireland

St Patrick preached and converted all over Ireland for 40 years.

7. He converted people to Christianity but most say it wasn't all down to him

The date cited for when Ireland was converted to Christianity is 432. It is said although St Patrick played a major role, he was not the only man converting the Irish to Christianity.

8. It wasn't all smooth sailing for St Patrick

Things were not easy and St Patrick told how his life was at risk, and how he was sometimes imprisoned by the local pagan chiefs.

A performer poses outside Belfast City Hall at the start of the St. Patricks Day Parade (Image: Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Getty Images)

9. No one is quite sure what year he died

He died on March 17, but the year he died is disputed. The majority believe he died in 461 AD.

10. He wasn't a big deal until centuries after his death

He was largely forgotten until centuries later as mythology grew and he was made the Patron Saint of Ireland.

11. We get a lot of information about him from something we think he wrote

Much of what is known about St Patrick comes from the Declaration, which was allegedly written by Patrick himself.

12. It is believed he was buried in Downpatrick

His remains are believed to be buried in the grounds of Down Cathedral in Downpatrick. A granite stone was laid to mark the grave in 1900.

13. The shamrock theory is more than likely a myth

Folklore states Patrick used three-leafed shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost), although that is largely believed to be a myth.

14. Ireland did not have snakes...so he probably didn't drive them out of the country

He is famous for driving the snakes out of Ireland....but believe it or not, there were never any snakes here.

15. Snakes were a symbol for evil

It is widely believed the snakes were a symbol for evil and saying he drove the snakes from Ireland is symbolically saying he drove the old, evil, pagan ways out of Ireland.

16. St Patrick's Day was only a minor holiday until the 70s

Until the 1970s, St. Patrick's Day in Ireland was a minor religious holiday. It was the Americans (or Irish-Americans) who created the day as we know it now.

17. Pilgrims follow in the footsteps of St Patrick

Every year thousands of pilgrims climb the 2,500ft to the peak of Croagh Patrick, to pay homage to Saint Patrick's Christian mission in Ireland. It was on the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick is said to have fasted for 40 days in 441 AD and the custom has been faithfully handed down from generation to generation.